May 24, 2019

The University of Windsor’s Board of Governors has appointed Robert Gordon, Wilfrid Laurier University’s provost and vice-president: academic, as the University of Windsor’s next president and vice-chancellor, effective September 1, 2019. This decision was made at a meeting at the University of Windsor the afternoon of May 24. This appointment is the next step in Gordon’s career as a leader in the post secondary sector.

“I personally want to congratulate Rob on this exceptional professional achievement,” said Deborah MacLatchy, Laurier president and vice-chancellor. “The appointment to the position of president and vice-chancellor is a testament to Rob’s strength as an academic leader and we will miss him here at Laurier.”

Gordon has been part of the Laurier community since joining as vice-president: research in November 2015. In this role, he significantly advanced the university’s research initiatives while integrating research, teaching and community engagement, and serving as chair of the university’s task force on freedom of expression. He provided strategic direction for Laurier’s rapidly growing research areas, which now include 25 research centres and institutes and 10 Canada Research Chairs. Under his leadership, Laurier saw a 23% increase in total new research funding, the second-fastest growth of any university in Canada.

In July 2018, Gordon was appointed provost and vice-president: academic where he was responsible for implementing the university’s academic and institutional priorities including advancing academic excellence, expanding experiential learning, enhancing equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives and providing leadership on the university budget and resource allocation. He has worked closely with the executive leadership team on university-wide strategic planning and executing the university's Strategic Mandate Agreement with the province.

A transition plan will be developed in the coming days, and the search for a new provost and vice-president: academic will begin in September.

“We are grateful to Rob for his leadership, energy and enthusiasm for Laurier,” said MacLatchy. “On behalf of the Office of the President and Rob’s Laurier colleagues, we want to extend congratulations to Rob and wish him all the best in his new position.”

Gordon’s last day as provost will be in July.